Department of Racial and Social Justice

Upcoming Events

Somerville Juneteenth Flag Raising | 6/16

Members of the Somerville community are invited to join neighbors, friends, and other residents at this year’s Juneteenth Flag Raising. Local leaders and advocates will deliver speaking remarks and the event will close with a commemoration of the holiday and the raising of the Juneteenth flag. Light refreshments and ice cream will be provided.

When: June 16, 2025 from 12 – 1 p.m. (Rain date June 17 from 4 - 5 p.m.)
Where: Somerville City Hall Concourse, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Juneteenth at Tufts – Together We Rise: A Community Celebration of Juneteenth | 6/18

The Office of the Vice Provost for Institutional Inclusive Excellence at Tufts University, in partnership with the Juneteenth Planning Committee and the cities of Medford and Somerville, invite you to attend this year’s Juneteenth celebration to learn about the historical struggle for liberation and unification of people who identify as coming from the African diaspora. This community celebration will feature local artists, vendors and educators. Join us to reflect, rejoice, and shine a light on the importance of unity during this time

When: June 18, 2025 from 8:15 – 11:30 a.m.

Full Schedule

• Breakfast from 8:30 – 9 a.m.
• History of Juneteenth from 9 – 9:45 a.m.
• Workshops from 10 – 10:50 a.m.
• “Where do we go from here?” from 11 – 11:30 a.m.
• Where: Joyce Cummings Center (Tufts University), 177 College Ave, Medford, MA 02155

RSVP and Additional Information: https://diversity.tufts.edu/events/juneteenth-2025/

The Blessing of the Bay: Voices in the Wind | 6/22

Experience a unique celebration recognizing three distinct cultures whose histories intertwined at Ten Hills Farm. Through song, dance and storytelling, the event commemorates the Blessing of the Bay, a pioneering ship built by Massachusetts's first Governor, John Winthrop, while also confronting the deeper truths of colonization and its impact on Indigenous peoples and Africans brought here through slavery.

When: June 22, 2025 from 1 – 3 p.m.
Where: Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, 32 Shore Drive, Somerville, MA 02145

Featuring:

• Morning Star Singers: An Indigenous drum group
• Anna-Celestrya Carr: An Indigenous Dancer
• Art of Black Dance and Music
• Aimee Ledwell: Storyteller

Frederick Douglass Reading | 6/25

In collaboration with the Somerville Museum and the Somerville Arts Council, this year’s annual “What to the slave is the 4th of July” reading will take place during the Somerville July 4th fireworks celebration.

When: June 25, 2025 at 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Rain date June 27, 5:30 p.m.)
Where: Trum Field, 541 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145 (at the corner of Cedar and Broadway)
For more information on road closures please click here. 
 

Somerville's July 4th Fireworks | 6/25

Join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council for our annual Fireworks Celebration.

When: June 25th, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Trum Field, 541 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
 

For questions about these upcoming events, reach out to RSJ at rsj@somervillema.gov.  
 

Initiatives

The City of Somerville is committed to eliminating institutional and structural racism and its intersections with other forms of oppression. The work of the RSJ Department has prioritized five key areas:

• Public Safety for All
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Commissions (SCPD, SCW, HRC)
• Hate-Bias Incidents Complaint Process
• Creating Structures for Equity

Accessibility Services & ADA Compliance

File a Complaint or Request

Commissions

The RSJ Department oversees and supports the work of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the Somerville Commission for Women (SCW), and the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) through staff attendance and participation in monthly meetings, activities, and events.

Get Involved & Stay Informed

1) Contact us: Text the RSJ Department at 781-808-7502 or email rsj@somervillema.gov.
 

2) Sign up for the City Newsletter for announcements and updates.

RSJ Open Data